Denver Broncos Could Look to Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels As Replacements

As the articles continue to pile in on the surprising firing of long-time Denver Broncos Head Coach/Vice President Mike Shanahan, Broncos fans are probably all dying to know:  Who is going to turn our team around?

While some feel that former Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher is the answer, I think Broncos owner Pat Bowlen could have other things in mind. Possibly a Patriotic overhaul.

The situation that Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels are/could be in is a perfect one. 

Pioli, the Vice President of Football Operations for the New England Patriots, has been with the organization for nine years, and was just recently given permission to interview for the vacancy at general manager for the Cleveland Browns.

His next stop could be Denver, and he may be bringing young Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels with him. 

A GM/Head Coach duo of Pioli and McDaniels could be just what the doctor ordered for Denver fans. 

While people such as myself are still in shock over firing the man whose name will forever be synonymous with Denver Football, a change was needed. We just weren't expecting this drastic of an action.

Watch for Denver to pursue this duo very thoroughly. McDaniels would be in a great position to take over as head coach, and it would be the most attractive coaching job currently on the open market.

McDaniels would join a team that just finished 8-8, is picking 12th in this April's draft, and has a plentiful amount of young offensive talent. Most notably, the Patriots offensive coordinator could grow as a head coach along with Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler, similar to the way Mike Shanahan groomed John Elway.

I would imagine that coordinators all over the league will be lining up to take over this team, especially if Denver can lure in Scott Pioli to direct the front office as General Manager.

There is no doubt that this Denver team is on the rise, and while the firing of Mike Shanahan hurts now, there is a reason for everything. Maybe a change is needed in Denver. Maybe this is the right move, only time will tell.

For now, one can only speculate. The Broncos' coaching vacancy won't be empty for very long, and the list of candidates will be very long. As Henry Gula earlier reported, Bill Cowher is a definite option, as well as Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett, Giants Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, former Baltimore Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick, Dolphins Executive Bill Parcells, Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier, and San Francisco Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz.

To me, all signs right now point to the Pioli/McDaniels combination if Denver can lure them out of New England. Having two guys with very bright futures in this league could put the Denver faithful back at ease.